Back in September 2022, there was clear evidence Amazon was tinkering with book category visibility and categorization for authors publishing via KDP. Now the other shoe has dropped. Here’s what Amazon announced, which applies to new and existing titles.
- New interface for choosing book categories. You are limited to three, and the category selector remains up to date with the actual store as new categories are added. You no longer have to contact customer support to get the categories you want. Also, after you select a category, you’ll see the link to the Amazon store where you can view other books in the same category.
- Improved age range for children’s and teen & young adult categories. The reading age range field is now available for all book formats. Authors can now set the minimum and maximum reading ages for themselves with no need to contact customer service.
- You can no longer contact customer service for category additions or changes. You are really limited to three now. If you edit a previously published book, you will lose your “extra” categories.
- Amazon may change the categories of a book at any time, “to ensure a positive customer experience.” So if you miscategorize your work—whether accidentally or on purpose—Amazon will correct your mistake.
Initial reactions in the author community have been largely positive, as the changes are expected to reduce abuse by authors who have been adding their book to inappropriate categories for visibility and ranking, leading to “category pollution.” Learn more about KDP category guidelines.
Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; in 2023, she was named Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Jane’s expertise regularly features in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, NPR, The Today Show, Wired, The Guardian, Fox News, and BBC. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. She reaches thousands through speaking engagements and workshops at diverse venues worldwide, including NYU’s Advanced Publishing Institute, Frankfurt Book Fair, and numerous MFA programs.
